15 Virginia first responders to be honored during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
EMMITSBURG, Md. (WFXR) — The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation announced that 15 firefighters from Virginia will be honored at the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
The national tribute will kick off on May 4 in Emmitsburg to honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,”
said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro.
Among the list of honorees, 15 firefighters from departments across the Commonwealth will be honored including:
Chief Ernest Cash, age 72, of the Monelison Volunteer Fire Department, died on April 5, 2022, due to complications of esophageal cancer, deemed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to be a line of duty death.
Deputy Chief John Laronda, age 28, of the Altavista Fire Company, died on 6/6/2017 due to complications of a stroke that occurred on 5/7/2017.
Firefighter Eric Newman, age 59, of the Franklin County Public Safety, suffered a stroke while on duty on July 14, 20217. He did not return home after his shift and his wife discovered him collapsed at the station. He was transported to the hospital where he remained until he died on August 4, 2021, due to a stroke.
Recruit Firefighter John Tucker, age 53, of the Altavista Fire Company, died on April 8, 2023, from complications of colon cancer, deemed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to be a line-of-duty death.
Captain Matthew “Chevy” Chiaverotti, age 44, of the Virginia Beach Fire Department, died on April 17, 2023, due to complications of cancer.
Firefighter Cameron Craig, age 20, of the Abingdon Fire Department, was responding to a call on Oct. 19, 2023, for an automatic fire alarm as a passenger in a fire department engine when the engine was involved in a crash. He was fatally injured in the crash and died at the scene.
Firefighter/EMT Mia Ethridge, age 20, of the Louisa County Department of Fire and EMS, was responding to a residential structure fire on July 9, 2023, when the fire apparatus she was driving ran off the road in the rain and hit a tree. She was transported to the hospital where she remained until she died on Sept. 2, 2023.
Firefighter James Foster, age 46, of the Rice Volunteer Fire Department, died on Jan. 29, 2023, as a result of throat cancer, deemed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to be a line-of-duty death.
Deputy Chief Brian Hricik, age 51, of the Alexandria Fire Department, died on Feb. 23, 2023, due to complications of cancer, deemed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to be a line-of-duty death.
Captain Chester Lauck, age 66, of the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department, responded to a large wildland fire on April 21, 2023, where he operated the Ultra-Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and performed firefighting operations. He began to feel ill within two hours of returning home. He was transported to the hospital where he was treated and experienced multiple heart attacks. He was placed on life support and died on April 23, 2023.
Deputy Chief Mark McCowan, age 50, of the Clinchco Volunteer Fire Department, died on Oct. 3, 2022, from complications of brain cancer, deemed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to be a line-of-duty death.
Firefighter/Paramedic Ian Strickler, age 35, of the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department, was part of the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department Recruit Class #14 that started on July 3, 2023. On July 5, 2023, while attending physical fitness training, he suffered a medical emergency. He was immediately transported to the Winchester Medical Center where he died due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia.
Fire Chief Michael Webb, age 53, of the Callaway Volunteer Fire Department, died on Nov. 13, 2021, due to complications of COVID-19.
Firefighter Stephen Whitson, age 57, of Henrico County Division of Fire, participated in Firefighter Mayday Training during a scheduled duty day on April 4, 2023, and then continued with his shift, which ended at 7:00 a.m. on April 5, 2023. Later that day, he reported not feeling well due to chest pain and fatigue. He died in his sleep due to a heart attack and was pronounced deceased on the morning of April 6, 2023.
Firefighter Rocky Wood, age 53, of the Virginia Department of Forestry, responded to a 15-acre wildfire in Buchanan County, Va. on March 9, 2023. He was scouting the area to determine where to create a containment line around the perimeter of the fire when the ATV he was driving overturned. He died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident. He was also the Fire Chief of the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department in Virginia.
Over the weekend, there will be two events open to the public. Each event will be at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center:
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 5 at 10:00 a.m. ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
On Sunday, fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address attendees at the memorial service.
“We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families,”
said Stagnaro.
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